Collapsible carton



Jall- 10, 1939 F. A. wENz'EL COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed Jan. 20, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Wen' EI Jan. l0, 1939. F. A, wENzl-:L Y l 2,143,588

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filfed Jan. 20, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

- HHM/en z El Jan. 10, 1939. F, A, WENZEL 2,143,588

COLLARS TBLE CARTON Filed Jan. 2o, 1958 s shams-sheet s INVENTOR.

Patented Jan.` 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Application January 20, 1938, Serial No. 185,892

11 Claims.

This invention appertains to shipping and delivery crates and the like for bottles, and morev particularly to composition or cardboard beer bottle crates.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide a collapsible or folding composition or cardboard crate which can be shipped or stored fiat when not in use, and which can be instantly and easily opened to bottle-receiving position or folded to its collapsed position.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide a collapsible cardboard folding crate which will be of an exceptionally simple and durable character, and one which can be placed upo the market at a reasonable cost.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of novel folding end walls for the crate, with means for bracing said end walls when the crate is in its set-up position, whereby a strong and eiiicient structure will be had.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of covers for the collapsible crate formed integral with the upper edges of the side walls of the crate, and which are adapted to be folded back yover flat against the side walls when the crate is in its collapsed position. f

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichv drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of'my novel crate, showing the same in its set-up position, with the covers closed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the crate, showing the same in its set-up position, with the covers in their wide open position.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the crate, with one of the covers in its raised position and the.

other cover in its closed position, one of the end walls of the crate being partially broken awayto illustrate structural details.

' Figure 3A is a fragmentary, top plan view of the blank from which the crate is made.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the crate, taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the crate, showing the same in its collapsed folded position, with parts thereof broken away and in section.

Figure 6 is a transverse section through the folded crate taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, the view being taken on a larger scale than Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of crate in which a single cover flap is utilized, the cover being shown in its closed position in full lines, and in its partially opened position in dotted lines.

Figure 81s a perspective view of a further modied form of crate in which the 'use of covers is eliminated.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the crate.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the crate, with parts thereof broken away and in section.

Figure 1l is a transverse sectional view through the crate, taken on the line I I of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view through the crate, taken on the line l2-|2 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference .characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter C generally indicates my novel collapsible composition or cardboard crate, and, as shown, the same is adapted to be formed from a single blank of material.

Thus, the crate includes a bottom wall I5, having formed on its longitudinal side edges side walls I6, and on its transverse edges, end walls I1, The blank is heavily scored or creased to define these Walls. The outer longitudinal edges of `the side walls I6 have formed thereon covers f I8, and these covers I8 carry at their edges foldable longitudinal and transverse cover flaps I9 and 20. The covers I8 and the flaps I9 and 20 are also defined by heavy creases or score lines.

Formed on the transverse edges of the side walls are end wall flaps 2l, whichware adapted to be folded over the end walls Il and securely fastened thereto by rivets or the like 22. The end wall flaps 2l are scored diagonally, as at 23, to provide folding hinge sections 24, the other sections thereof being riveted to the end walls I1, as heretofore set forth.

It is to be noted that the end Walls l1 are provided with hand holds 26, and thus the end wall flaps 2| are provided with notches 2l, which are adapted to aline with the hand holds 26. The

heavily creased or scored lines 23 extend to these notches. The corners of the end walls I'lare also heavily scored or creased diagonally, as at 28, to provide folding corner triangular-shaped Wings 29.

In placing the crate on the market, the end walls I1 are folded up, and the end ilaps 2l are folded over the end walls and securely fastened thereto by the rivets 22 at the inner portions 25 29 of the end walls of said flaps. To fold the crate fiat, the end walls I'I are swung down against the inner face of the bottom wall I5, which will bring the side walls I6 over the bottom wall. At this time, the wings will be swung inwardly, and the flaps 2| will fold on their diagonal score lines 23. One of the portions 26 of the aps is placed over one side wall I6 and its cover i8, the mentioned side wall and its cover moving in the notch 21 of the end flap. This forms a flat compact structure, and when itis desired to open the crate, the side walls I6 are pulled outwardly to'a raised position, and the end walls I1 will be swung by the flaps 2| to a raised position. The wings 29 of the end walls will be forced against the side walls I8, and tend to prevent the collapsing of the crate.

In order to further reinforce the crate, I can utilize a relatively heavy strip 30, which I rivet or otherwise secure to the inner surface of the end wall I'I, as at 3|, inwardly of the folding wings 29. This reinforcing strip 30 is also notched, as at 32, to aline with the hand hold opening 26. Thus, the strip also reinforces the opening.

'I'he crate is now ready to receive the bottlepartition filler 33, which is of the ordinary collapsible egg-cell type. The upper edge of the filler ts under the lower edges of the reinforcing strips 30, and thus this filler also tends to hold the crate against collapsing.

After the crate is filled with the bottles, the covers I 8 are swung thereover, and the side cover flaps 20 are positioned between the end walls I'I and the end wall flaps 2|. The longitudinally extending cover aps I9 abut one another at the longitudinal center of the crate. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the covers I8 can be provided with slots 34 for receiving a suitable seal. By positioning the cover flaps 20 between the end walls and the end Wall flaps, the covers are frictionally held in their closed position.

In lieu of forming double covers, as shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, I can utilize a single cover 35, as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. In this form, the single cover is formed of suflicient size to extend entirely over the open end of the crate, and is formed integral with one side wall only of the crate. I

In some instances, it may be preferable to eliminate the cover or covers entirely, and in Figures 8 to 12 inclusive I have shown a crate in which the covers are eliminated. This crate is constructed in the same manner as the crates previously described, the only difference being that the side walls I8 are preferably provided with foldable extensions 36, which are bent over the inner faces of the side walls and secured thereto in any desired manner, such as by rivets. I also prefer to provide an extension 31 on the end walls |I, which extensions are folded inwardly and over the reinforcing Astrip 30. This extension can be secured in place in any preferred manner, such as by the use of rivets.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple and durable form of callapsible crate, which will be of Asuiicient strength to be utilized for shipping and delivering cases of bottles.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new is:

l. A collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material including, a bottom wall and side and end walls formed on the edges of the bottom wall and foldable thereover, end wall flaps having hinged portions connected with the end edges of the side walls, and rigid portions secured to the end Walls, and foldable triangular-shaped wings on the end walls movable over the body portions of the end walls when the crate is collapsed.

2. A collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material including, la bottom wall and side and end walls formed on the edges of the bottom wall and foldable thereover, end wall flaps having hinged portio-ns connected with the end edges of the side walls, and rigid portions secured to the end walls, foldable trlangular-shaped wings on the end walls movable over the body portions of the end Walls when the crate is'collapsed, and a cover formed on and hingedly connected to the outer longitudinal edge of one of the side walls.

3. A collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank'of sheet material including, a bottom wall and side and end walls formed on the edges of the bottom wall-and foldable thereover, end wall flaps having hinged portions connected with the end edges of the side Walls, and rigid portions secured to the end walls, foldable triangular-shaped wings on the end walls movable over the body portions of the end walls when the crate is collapsed, a cover formed on and hingedly connected to the outer longitudinal edge of one of the side walls, and cover flaps formed on the cover insertible between the end walls and the end wall aps when the crate is in its open operative position, and when the cover is swung over the crate.

4. In a collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material, a bottom wall, side and end walls formedV on the edges of the bottom wall and foldable thereover, end wall flaps having hinge portions formed integral with the end edges of the side walls, and rigid portions rigidly secured to the end walls, triangular-shaped wings formed on the ends of the end walls and foldable thereover when the crate is in a collapsed posiiton, said end walls being provided with hand holds, and said end wall aps having notches alining with said hand holds, the notches on one side of the crate be# ing adapted to receive the opposite side wall when thecrate is collapsed.

5. In a collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material, a bottom wall, side and end walls formed on the edges of the bottom wall and foldable thereover, end wall naps having hinge portions formed integral with the end edges ofthe side walls, and rigid portions rigidly secured to the end walls, triangularshaped wings formed on the ends of the end walls and foldable thereover when the crate is inra collapsed position, said end walls being provided with hand holds, and said end wall flaps having notches alining with said hand holds, the notches on one side of the crate being adapted to receive the opposite side wall when the crate is collapsed, and a reinforcing strip rigidly secured to the inner surface of theoend walls adapted to extend over the wings thereof to form a reinforcement therefor when the crate is in its set-up condition.

6. In a collapsible bottlevcase or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material, a bottom wall, side and end walls formed on the edges of the bottom wall and foldable thereover, end wall flaps having hinge portions formed integral with the end edges of the side walls, and rigid portions rigidly secured to the end Wal1s,'triangular shaped wings formed on the ends of the end walls and foldable thereover when the crate is in a collapsed position, said end walls being provided with hand holds, and said end Wall flaps having notches alining with said hand holds, the notches on one side of the crate being adapted to receive the opposite side wall when the crate is collapsed, a reinforcing strip rigidly secured to the inner surface of the end walls adapted to extend over the wings thereof to form a reinforcement therefor when the crate is in 'its set-up condition, the reinforcing strips terminating short of the bottom wall when the crate is set up, and

ycollapsible fillers in said crate engaging the lower edges of the reinforcing strips.

7. In a collapsible bottle case or orali formed from a single blank of sheet material, a bottom Wall, side and end walls formed Von the bottom wall and movable thereover when the crate is in a folded condition, said end Walls having foldable triangular-shaped wingsV on their outer edges, end wall iiaps formed on the end edges of the side Walls having diagonal creases dening hinge portions carried by the side Walls and rigid portions, and means firmly connecting the rigid portions with the end walls. A

8. In a collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material, a bottom wall, side and` end walls formed on the bottom Wall and movable thereover when the crate is in a folded condition, said end walls having foldable triangular-shaped Wings on their outer edges, end wall flaps formed on the end edges of the side Walls having diagonal creases defining hinge portions carried by the side walls and rigid portions, means firmly connecting the rigid portions with the end walls, and reinforcing strips rigidly secured to the inner surface of the end walls having free end portions extending over the wings when the case is in its set-up condition, said free end portions tapering toward their upper end.

9. A collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material comprising, a bottom wall, side and end walls formed on the bottom wall and foldable thereover, the

end walls having triangular wings on their outer edges foldable over the body portions of the end walls when the crate is collapsed, and movable into engagement with the inner faces of the side walls when the crate is set up, and end wall flaps hingedly carried by the ends of the side walls having diagonal score lines defining foldable portions, and rigid portions secured to the end walls.

10. A collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single-blank of sheet material comprising, a bottom wall, side and end walls formed on the bottom wall and foldable thereover, the end walls having triangular Wings on their outer edges foldable over the body portions of the end walls when the crate is collapsed, and movable into engagement with the inner faces of the side walls when the crate is set up, end wall flaps hingedly carried by the ends of the side walls having ldiagonal score lines defining foldable portions, and rigid portions secured to the end walls, and covers hingedly carried by the longi- K, tudinal edges of the side Walls movable over the crate when the sameis in its set-up condition, cover iiaps formed on the end edges of the covers insertible between the end walls and the end wall flaps, and longitudinally extending cover flaps on the covers movable into abutting relation when the covers are in their closed position.

11. A collapsible bottle case or crate formed from a single blank of sheet material comprising, a bottom wall, side and end walls formed on the bottom wall and foldable thereover, triangularshaped Wings formed on the end walls, and foldable over the outer surface of the end Walls when the crate is collapsed, and movable into engagement with the inner surface of the side walls when the crate is in its set-up condition, end wall flaps hingedly carried by the side walls having portions rigidly secured to the end Walls, and hinged portions foldable over the end walls, re-

' inforcing strips secured to the Vend Walls having fre'e end portions extending over the triangular wings when the crate is in its set-up condition,

and extensions formed on the end walls foldable 4 over th reinforcing strips and secured thereto.

FRED A. WENZEL. 

